constituencies

BJP's Debangshu Panda secured a decisive victory in the Falta repoll, winning by over a lakh votes. The Election Commission ordered the repoll due to "severe electoral offences" during the initial April 29 polling. This high-stakes seat for TMC saw their candidate finish a distant fourth after withdrawing from campaigning but remaining on the ballot.

Maharashtra government has formed a special constituency-level review committee to regularize slum homes in Ulhasnagar existing before January 1, 2011. MLA Kumar Ailani chairs the committee, tasked with processing applications and ensuring policy implementation for thousands of residents. This move offers legal protection and hope for long-standing unauthorized structures.

N Marie Wilson of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), who secured a dominant victory in the Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency, has been appointed to key finance, planning, and development portfolios in Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's new cabinet. Wilson's win was significant, surpassing the combined vote share of DMK and AIADMK.

Trinamool Congress's Falta candidate, Jahangir Khan, announced he would not contest the May 21 repoll, citing the need for Falta's peace and development. This decision came after widespread electoral malpractice led to the repoll. The TMC stated Khan's withdrawal was a personal choice, while the BJP dismissed it as a tactic due to lack of support.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced the schedule for crucial Legislative Council elections in Maharashtra. This includes a bye-election for the Nagpur Local Authorities' Constituency and biennial elections for 16 other seats across the state.

Code Of Conduct In Effect; Voting On June 18, Counting On June 22

West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya sarcastically invited TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee to campaign in Falta ahead of the May 21 repoll, claiming the TMC has been 'sent into exile' by the state's people. Bhattacharya alleged the TMC leadership has disappeared following electoral setbacks and expressed confidence in BJP's victory, urging TMC workers to campaign freely.

Falta, which falls within Abhishek Banerjee’s bastion of Diamond Harbour, reflected the intense on-ground political heat during the West Bengal Assembly polls. Apart from authorities finding attempts to tamper with footage captured by web cameras installed at several polling stations, allegations of EVM manipulation were reported at a Falta booth, eventually prompting the Election Commission to order repolling.

Tensions have flared between the BJP and NCP regarding the Pune MLC seat, with the NCP asserting its claim due to a robust foothold in local governance, while the BJP counters by highlighting its dominance in the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations. This clash raises eyebrows about the possibility of a cooperative competition among these erstwhile partners.